Update: Corrected the spelling of Marine Corps.

TRYON — A new face has joined the newsroom of the World’s Smallest Daily Newspaper.

The Tryon Daily Bulletin recently hired Ted Yoakum, a veteran reporter and news photographer, as the publication’s new managing editor. Yoakum, whose first day on the job was Monday, took over the position from Claire Sachse, who stepped down from the company at the end of January in order to pursue other ventures. 

Yoakum comes to the Daily Bulletin from Leader Publications, located in Niles, Michigan, where he served as the community editor of the Dowagiac Daily News, a newspaper that served a city of around 6,000 residents, as well as the surrounding rural county. The 31-year-old had served as the paper’s main reporter and photographer since November 2013, where he covered everything from local politics to business openings to profiles of everyday residents.

He is a 2013 graduate of Western Michigan University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in journalism, with a minor in political science.

As managing editor of the Bulletin, Yoakum will oversee the staff of the company’s editorial staff, as well as the production of the newspaper, Foothills Magazine and other print products. On top of these responsibilities, he also plans to write news stories, opinion pieces and other works for the company, as well as to take photos whenever needed.

Yoakum has recently relocated to Columbus for the job.

“I could not be more excited to join the talented staff of the Bulletin,” Yoakum said. “I have quickly fallen in love with Tryon, Landrum and Polk County, and cannot wait to begin working alongside the rest of the news team to tell the stories of the people and places who call the area home.”

The Michigan-transplant is a native of North Carolina, and grew up in Jacksonville on the east side of the state. His father, Gerald, was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, and was stationed in Camp Lejeune for nearly a decade before he was transferred to Michigan to work as a recruiter when Yoakum was in second grade.

“While I have called The Wolverine State home for nearly two decades, I am excited about the opportunity to return to my roots as I begin the next chapter of my career in the newspaper business,” Yoakum said. “I have already met a number of wonderful people in my short time here in Polk County, and I cannot wait to get more involved in the community, both in my role at the Bulletin and in my personal life.”

People may reach Yoakum by calling his cell phone at (269) 588-1040 or by emailing him at ted.yoakum@tryondailybulletin.com.